Critics - Desdemona

Question 1

Carol Thomas - Desdemona (Emilia as a foil)

Answer 1

‘Emilia is a foil for Desdemona and corrects her occasional naivete’

Question 2

A.C Bradley - Desdemona (innocence and suffering)

Answer 2

‘Her innocence makes her suffering more painful for the audience’

Question 3

Marilyn French - Desdemona (last words)

Answer 3

‘Her last words are that of a martyr’

Question 4

Marilyn French - Desdemona (child/adult standing her ground)

Answer 4

‘She’s seen as a child who lies about the handkerchief - but when Othello strikes her she stands her ground with adult dignity - ‘I have not deserv’d this’

Question 5

A.C Bradley - Desdemona (passivity)

Answer 5

‘She is helplessly passive’

Question 6

John Quincy Adams - Desdemona (deserving her fate)

Answer 6

‘Desdemona deserved her fate as black and white blood cannot be intermingled’